Raccoons are part of a robust ecosystem that attracts ducks, anhingas, storks, herons and many other creatures. Bella, a familiar sight in the park, has plundered duck eggs next to the restaurant and has been seen playing in puddles.

“She's afraid of people, though,” Katsoufis said.

“Raccoons are very common in urban areas,” said Greg Workman, Public Relations Officer with Florida Fish and Wildlife. “I would practically guarantee there are probably many more raccoons, possums and other creatures in the same vicinity, just less visible.”

A raccoon acting naturally, like this one, is a good sign, he said. Wildlife should run away or climb a tree. If it doesn't do that, there would be concern. Eating duck eggs, or predation, is a natural means of survival.

“It's when the animal acts 'not wild' that it would be a concern. Walking funny, approaching people and salivating would be a cause to call animal control,” Workman said.

He said he would not advise trapping the city-dwelling raccoon.

“It's not bothering anyone, and it's eating its natural food; it's not a concern,” he said.

“Impeding or changing its behavior, as in feeding it, would be detrimental, causing behavioral imprinting, giving it the expectation of seeking people to feed it,” he said.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Code 68A-4.001 prohibits placing food or garbage or offering food or garbage in such a manner that it attracts black bears, foxes or raccoons, and in a manner that is likely to create a public nuisance. Violation of the code can incur penalties.

Touching or interacting with wild animals, even cute ones, brings dire warnings from Craig Ackerman, Public Information Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.

“Raccoons are the number one rabies concern in Florida. The rabies disease is fatal in all mammals and is primarily transmitted through saliva,” he said. “Never handle live or dead wild animals, and teach children to do the same.”

Ackerman stressed that bats and stray dogs and cats also are wild animals and to stay away from them. A scratch from a rabid cat was reported in April and the subsequent rabies alert put into effect near downtown Ocala was lifted June 17.

Ackerman said in case of such a scratch, wash the wound first to get the saliva off. Only immediate treatment will prevent the rabies from being fatal. He said those who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the department by calling 629-0137. He also said anyone burying animals should always handle them with a tool.

“Even a dead animal can contaminate through an open scratch,” he said.

In the meantime, over by Tuscawilla Park, photographer Michelle Foster also has spied Bella's hideout.

“At one time, a nest of babies lived up there too,” Foster said.

Mostly nocturnal, the raccoon has been spotted near Seminole Feed and the train station as she makes her rounds near ponds close to the park, where she forages on eggs, frogs and fish, using her hand-like paws to dunk them in a pond or puddle before she eats them.

<p>Ocala and Marion County have habitats that support a wide variety of wildlife, even in the city.</p><p>Wildlife experts and health department officials urge caution, however, when encountering such creatures.</p><p>Near Tuscawilla Park, a neighborhood raccoon pauses in a tree. Its beady black eyes peer down at Teresa Katsoufis's car before it disappears behind tree foliage. Katsoufis, owner of Dee Dee's Doghouse eatery, calls the mammal Bella.</p><p>Raccoons are part of a robust ecosystem that attracts ducks, anhingas, storks, herons and many other creatures. Bella, a familiar sight in the park, has plundered duck eggs next to the restaurant and has been seen playing in puddles.</p><p>“She's afraid of people, though,” Katsoufis said.</p><p>“Raccoons are very common in urban areas,” said Greg Workman, Public Relations Officer with Florida Fish and Wildlife. “I would practically guarantee there are probably many more raccoons, possums and other creatures in the same vicinity, just less visible.”</p><p>A raccoon acting naturally, like this one, is a good sign, he said. Wildlife should run away or climb a tree. If it doesn't do that, there would be concern. Eating duck eggs, or predation, is a natural means of survival.</p><p>“It's when the animal acts 'not wild' that it would be a concern. Walking funny, approaching people and salivating would be a cause to call animal control,” Workman said.</p><p>He said he would not advise trapping the city-dwelling raccoon.</p><p>“It's not bothering anyone, and it's eating its natural food; it's not a concern,” he said.</p><p>“Impeding or changing its behavior, as in feeding it, would be detrimental, causing behavioral imprinting, giving it the expectation of seeking people to feed it,” he said.</p><p>Florida Fish and Wildlife Code 68A-4.001 prohibits placing food or garbage or offering food or garbage in such a manner that it attracts black bears, foxes or raccoons, and in a manner that is likely to create a public nuisance. Violation of the code can incur penalties.</p><p>Touching or interacting with wild animals, even cute ones, brings dire warnings from Craig Ackerman, Public Information Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.</p><p>“Raccoons are the number one rabies concern in Florida. The rabies disease is fatal in all mammals and is primarily transmitted through saliva,” he said. “Never handle live or dead wild animals, and teach children to do the same.”</p><p>Ackerman stressed that bats and stray dogs and cats also are wild animals and to stay away from them. A scratch from a rabid cat was reported in April and the subsequent rabies alert put into effect near downtown Ocala was lifted June 17.</p><p>Ackerman said in case of such a scratch, wash the wound first to get the saliva off. Only immediate treatment will prevent the rabies from being fatal. He said those who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the department by calling 629-0137. He also said anyone burying animals should always handle them with a tool.</p><p>“Even a dead animal can contaminate through an open scratch,” he said.</p><p>In the meantime, over by Tuscawilla Park, photographer Michelle Foster also has spied Bella's hideout.</p><p>“At one time, a nest of babies lived up there too,” Foster said.</p><p>Mostly nocturnal, the raccoon has been spotted near Seminole Feed and the train station as she makes her rounds near ponds close to the park, where she forages on eggs, frogs and fish, using her hand-like paws to dunk them in a pond or puddle before she eats them.</p>